#Travel

United Airlines (Image: Supplied by United Airlines)

United resumes services to Dubai with daily flight from New York

United is the only US airline to offer nonstop flights between Dubai and the US

VFS Global

VFS Global extends Ramadan timings in UAE

Offers premium application centre services for UK visa applicants

Business travel

These are the world’s 10 most expensive cities for business travel

The survey was based on 2022 data for four-star hotels, meals, laundry and incidental costs

etihad airways enhances interline and codeshare with six airlines making travel even easier

Etihad Airways strengthens interline and codeshare alliances with six airlines

The expanded interline and codeshare offerings with the airlines will be progressively rolled out across the carrier’s sales channels, website and travel agents, over the coming weeks

Boeing and Riyadh Air sign order agreement

Riyadh Air starts to build fleet, orders Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

The first deliveries of the widebody aircraft are scheduled for early 2025

International Boat Show

Dubai International Boat Show 2023 displays new innovations in marine industry

The show attracted more than 30,000 industry insiders who witnessed over 1,000 brands showcasing the latest advancements

emirates and philippine airlines announce interline agreement Image Emirates Media Centre

Emirates, Philippine Airlines codeshare offers travellers access to these destinations

With the new agreement, Emirates now has interline partnerships with 120 air carriers

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi adds new aircraft, routes to central Asia, Europe and Africa

The ninth aircraft will provide an additional 30,000 ultra-low-fare seats per month

Dubai International Boat Show

Dubai International Boat Show 2023 previews the future of marina living

The show will open doors to residents and international visitors on March 1

Etihad Airways to launch service to Lisbon, Portugal in July

Etihad Airways to launch direct service to Lisbon in summer

With new routes launched to Lisbon, Malaga and Mykonos, Etihad will offer nearly 160 weekly flights to 21 destinations in Europe this summer

dxb smart gates

Smart gates make DXB airport journey easier; scanning documents no longer needed

If you’re registered for the smart gates, you can pass through by simply looking at the green light, with no need to scan a document

Abu Dhabi Airports

Abu Dhabi Airports welcomes 15.9 million passengers in 2022

The company saw growth in other key areas such as air traffic movements across its five airports, which totalled 194,667

Yalago stats photo Dubai Media Office

Emirates Group’s Yalago records 92% rise in hotel bookings in 2022

According to the wholesale specialist, travellers are spending 30 per cent more per booking, taking on more extensive meal plans such as all-inclusive, and booking five-star hotels as a majority

dnata launches operations in zanzibar

UAE’s dnata invests $10m in Zanzibar, launches operations at ZNZ

The three companies – dnata, Emirates Leisure Retail and SEGAP – will work closely together to deliver services for airlines and passengers at ZNZ’s newly-built international terminal 3

Emirates to operate second service to Brisbane from June 1

Dubai’s Emirates doubles services to Brisbane

The expansion will boost capacity through Brisbane by more than a quarter of a million seats per year both ways

Etihad announces Global Sale 2023

UAE-based Etihad Airways’ annual Global Sale kicks off

Travellers can enjoy special sale fares to select destinations, with the Global Sale running until January 20, for travel between January 18 and June 15 this year

Qatar

Qatar launches first commercial charter flight to and from Kazakhstan

The nation has identified Kazakhstan as one of 15 target markets where tourists can relax, rejuvenate and enjoy Qatar’s vibrant culture

Vietnam

Dubai’s Sunset Hospitality Group launches Azure Beach and Attiko in Vietnam

The group sets sights on opening a further 20 venues in 2023, 15 of those internationally, as its expansion plan gathers pace

etihad airways doubles flights to bangkok

UAE’s Etihad Airways to double flights to Bangkok

From March, the airline will provide a total of 14 weekly nonstop services to Bangkok Airport

etihad airways adds flights to shanghai as travel demand to and from china grows

UAE’s Etihad Airways to increase flights to Shanghai from February 2023

Eihad Airways has add a second weekly passenger service to Shanghai following the further relaxation of Covid-related travel measures

Pandemic travel

Pandemic travel has reached a tipping point

The pullback in restrictions is “an acknowledgment that we’re in a new phase of this pandemic, where things are more stable

UAE has the world’s best passport in a top ten dominated by Europe

With a UAE passport, travellers can enter to 180 countries hassle-free — seven more than European countries such as Germany and Sweden

Dnata

UAE’s dnata announces partnership with Amex GBT

As per the agreement, dnata will provide full end-to-end travel and meetings management services to Amex GBT’s customers in the region

Japan

Emiratis can travel to Japan without a visa from November 1

The decision coincides with the launch of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and Japan

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launches Turkistan flights

Wizz Air launches its first flight between Rome and Dammam

Flights between the two destinations will operate twice a week

IndiGo commences new direct flights between Mumbai and Ras Al Khaimah

Indian carrier IndiGo launches daily direct service between Mumbai and Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is IndiGo’s 100th overall destination and 11th in its Middle East network

Wizz air bus service

Wizz Air: New bus service to transport passengers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi airport

The service will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport with Dubai’s Ibn Battuta Bus Station on an Express Bus Route

oanne Chehab- head of business partnerships for Managed Services, GBX MENA, TikTok

Why TikTok is the platform of choice for travellers across the region

TikTok has become wildly popular for showcasing immersive travel moments, ranging from creators interacting with nature in many ways, exploring various cultures, simply tasting street food, or trying their hand at uniquely local experiences

Travel demand returns and so does luggage woes GettyImages-1297964713

UAE, Saudi Arabia travellers prefer premium travel experiences, reveals study

According to Collinson, the most popular travel benefits among respondents were loyalty rewards, airport lounge access and frequent flyer rewards

Emirates to invest $2bn to enhance customer experience

Emirates to invest over $2bn to enhance inflight customer experience

Emirates’ latest initiatives include a new vegan menu, a ‘cinema in the sky’ experience, cabin interior upgrades and sustainable choices